Microsoft Copilot PC Vs Apple MacBook Air

0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 11:32
Last edited 28/05/2024 - 14:11 by 1 other user

So Microsoft is launching its kinda creepy Copilot PC suite of machines which apparently performs better than Apple's M3 laptops and also has better battery life.

I'm looking to buy a new laptop as my current MacBook 12 inch 2016 (which I purchased in 2017) is finally showing its age with more than a few applications open. I'm gonna give it to my dad to use as it still works fine for light browsing (which is his only use case) and the battery still lasts a few hours, even after 6 years of use.

I have not purchased a windows laptop for myself in more than a decade as my experience with them in the past has been terrible. Every windows laptop in the past (including the HP spectre I got my dad 4 years ago) has had batteries completely die within less than 3 years. And the build quality was flimsy with screens coming apart, hinges cracking, motherboard dying etc.

I prefer MacBooks because they just work, they usually last for years with no issues at all. The new Surface laptops look like they are built to the same/similar standard of MacBooks and with the new Snapdragon ARM based processors, it looks like they might be just as (or more) efficient as Apple's M series. My partner has a M1 laptop of her own and I would like to get a Windows laptop just to be covered for instances where MacOS can't handle something (eg: firmware upgrades for connected peripherals). I just want a laptop that will work well and last for ages without having to deal with the headache of having dead batteries, busted hardware and repairs.

Does anybody here have experience using the Surface tablet or Laptops for more than 3-4 years? Are you happy with the purchase? Anybody else planning to pre-order a surface copilot device?

TLDR: Have been using Macs for more than a decade because I find them reliable, would you buy a new Copilot+PC Surface machine over a MacBook?

Poll Options expired

  • 13
    Copilot+PC Surface Pro (16gb)
  • 6
    Copilot+PC Surface laptop (16gb)
  • 106
    MacBook M3 Air (16gb)
Computing Apple Computer Laptop Microsoft Ultrabook

Comments

  • AustriaBargain on 26/05/2024 - 11:40
    +8

    Wait for WWDC in a few weeks before deciding. Rolling the dice on a Microsoft products doesn't usually end well, ask any Windows Phone owners.

    • boomramada on 26/05/2024 - 12:03
      +2

      Well at least they tried on Windows Phone. I never had any issues with Surface Pro, been using few generations of them. Sold device.

      • AustriaBargain on 26/05/2024 - 12:07
        +3

        They should have tried sooner, I bet smartphones would be a three horse race right now if they did. And the "Microsoft ecosystem" would be a real thing for the average person outside of Windows/Xbox/Office.

        • MrFunSocks on 28/05/2024 - 10:55

          Developers didn't want to support a third mobile phone platform, and Google were actively hostile in keeping all of their services off Windows Phone, even childishly continually making microsoft remove their youtube app repeatedly for made up violations. Without developers and without google services it was never going to work. That's all it came down to.

          • AustriaBargain on 28/05/2024 - 11:04

            @MrFunSocks: Microsoft really made some confusing decisions. Coming into smartphones so late, buying Nokia but not paying whatever it took for a proper Facebook app or Snapchat app for the Windows Phone OS. Absolutely baffling.

      • freefall101 on 26/05/2024 - 12:53

        Any companies I've worked at where they handed out a whole lot of Surfaces, most people went back to the stock standard Dells. Tended to not be the most reliable things.

        I really agree on Windows Phone, one of the nicest OS's I've ever used. Just a shame they burnt early adopters because it was a great mix of hardware/software when Android vendors were releasing bloated skins that were slow from day one.

        • boomramada on 26/05/2024 - 12:57

          Main issue of windows phone was the apps/app store, it was nightmare for app developers.

          • MrFunSocks on 28/05/2024 - 10:56

            @boomramada:

            it was nightmare for app developers.

            No it wasn't, because the developers didn't want to support a third platform.

      • SydStrand on 26/05/2024 - 15:39

        But then there's also Surface RT and Surface Pro X (which they're somehow still selling) which are DoA products.

        Copilot laptops look like their best attempt yet, but I'd prefer to let someone else be their guinea pig before splurging thousands of my dollars.

      • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:33

        I agree. The Windows phones did look real nice and I was tempted to buy. I didn't buy one for myself cuz I used to work in the Mobile App development space and knew the mobile devices were doomed to fail.

      • 811b11e8 on 28/05/2024 - 09:05

        I was given an ARM based Surface RT.
        I couldn't give it away.

        We had Surface Pros at work, and the units where reasonable but the docks where rubbish and constantly broken. I had the chance to buy one at 10% of original price after 2 years of use, on condition you don't resell. I passed.

        If I wanted a device that lasts 10 years I'd go the Mac.

        • MrFunSocks on 28/05/2024 - 11:17

          The ARM based Surface RT and the new CoPilot+ PCs are completely separate things.

          My Surface Pro 3 still works just great to this day.

  • Lebofly on 26/05/2024 - 12:49

    M4 will be their AI focused line-up if that's what you're after, otherwise just stick to the M3 16GB Which is what I've done, not really interested in waiting a year for the next M4 Air and even then I don't do anything on it that requires a workhorse machine

  • payless69 on 26/05/2024 - 13:23
    +2

    Interesting how Billy Gates has another shot at the game.
    My M1 Air has a respectable boot up time, working fingerprint sensor, no noise pollution and no gravity issues breaking my desktop, sound and display are fine.
    Tough game!

    • boomramada on 26/05/2024 - 13:26

      Boot up time even matters these days? I haven't boot up my laptop in a year.

      • askbargain on 26/05/2024 - 13:29
        +4

        if you own a windows laptop yes, otherwise the battery drains

        • payless69 on 26/05/2024 - 13:43
          -2

          A close race. I opted for the clam shell design and small charger. Good for travelling.
          Windows is still easier to use.
          Once I had a windows phone, easiest to use and its camera was the best value for money.
          In the name of progress Nabster died, Spotify now tells their users to pay to dump the now useless hardware and Panasonic batteries start to leak!

      • soan papdi on 28/05/2024 - 10:59
        +1

        Not even for security updates?

  • boomramada on 26/05/2024 - 13:59
    -6

    Have been using Macs for more than a decade because I find them reliable, would you buy a new Copilot+PC Surface machine over a MacBook?

    Yet an another typical question that apple user would ask. Don't you worry, you won't change ecosystem even the Windows is x10 better.

    • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:18

      I'm not a typical apple user though. We have android phones in the household. I used to use iPhones till 2016 and then never went back (and dont plan to either) after experiencing their deplorable tactics like FORCING me into buying their stupid charging cables that were prone to fraying, because they would detect cheapo knockoff cables and block them from charging the phone and they had to audacity to claim it was done for the good of the consumer.

      Our smartphone ecosystem is built around Amazon's Alexa. We are not locked into the Apple ecosystem yet. I only used to prefer MacBooks cuz windows laptops have historically been crap in my experience and I'm totally open to buying the new ARM based processor windows laptops if they are indeed reliable

      • boomramada on 26/05/2024 - 19:13
        -1

        You are asking from a forum which is better. This something you need to work out by yourself based on your own research. Reliability is a personal thing, even Toyota / Apple been relible, people buy other brands for their needs. 💁‍♂️

    • ColtNoir on 27/05/2024 - 11:27
      +2

      I own both windows and Mac’s in the same house. They each have their place depending on the use, stop having brand wars and just buy what works for your situation. Also, I don’t know how you’re measuring 10x better. What is 10x better about windows machines? The only thing I can think is program compatibility options but the average user doesn’t care.

      • boomramada on 27/05/2024 - 14:29

        Sorry I forget to add IF :)

  • David2017 on 26/05/2024 - 14:09
    +1

    If you want reliability and a good chance of a long life them you can't go past a Macbook. You've got a 7 year old Macbook that's still working. If you can find a Surface or any other PC laptop that age, it won't be running well and it'll have gone through multiple batteries. We have some customers that insist or buying Surfaces and almost all of them end up being replaced under warranty or dying just outside of warranty. I wouldn't give one to my worst enemy, they're a massive waste of time.

    Like someone said, wait for the announcements at WWDC and then decide which Mac to buy.

    • Mechz on 26/05/2024 - 15:18
      +10

      I must tell my SP3 to stop working so well. Original battery lasts 4-5 hours, runs Win11.

      My Dell Latitude (with touchscreen) with a 7th gen i5 lasts even longer. Still has the original battery.

      I must replace them with expensive Apples so I can have less functionality.

      • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:28
        +1

        Good to hear. I'm totally against Dell though! My worst Windows laptop experiences have been with Dell, including one which almost cost me the original price over two repairs (I didn't have any option as I was nearly broke and I was writing up my uni dissertation on my Dell Studio). I sold the laptop for a pittance after it had the same issue the 3rd time. I swore I would never buy a Dell for my personal use after that :(

        • David2017 on 26/05/2024 - 19:40

          Dell aren't great. If you wanted a PC then you'd look at HP Zbook, Probook or Elitebook. Stay away from the Dragonflys as they're as unreliable as the Surfaces. The HP engineers they send out to site to fix hardware issues have all been excellent. Lenovo are OK but their support can be very hit and miss and their next day support can turn into weeks.

          If you're used to Mac I don't know why you'd switch to the hellscape that is Microsoft.

        • ddilrat on 27/05/2024 - 23:25

          That's a shame. Ive had Dell laptops for work for a while and the last 5 years of so they have been great.

          They make really good monitors too.

          I guess like any brand they have good stuff and bad stuff

      • David2017 on 26/05/2024 - 19:34

        You've got one, I've been asked to fix dozens. It's hardly the same thing. Their return system is so good you don't even need to talk to anyone. No other PC manufacturer I've dealt with works like that. You send a faulty one back and they send you a refurbed one. HP, Dell, Asus and Lenovo all make you spend time on the phone troubleshooting, not Microsoft. It's in place because they fail so often.

        • Mechz on 26/05/2024 - 22:06

          No it's to compete with Apple.

      • McSquintus on 27/05/2024 - 11:28

        My 10-year-old SP3 is also going strong but didn't risk it with W11. I was thinking about a Macbook due to the battery life, but I think the CoPilot+ PCs are the answer for me as I prefer Windows.

      • carlJack on 28/05/2024 - 10:55

        I am still using my 10 year old Dell XPS 13. Working well.

    • iminabrons on 27/05/2024 - 17:42

      I have 2 Surface Pro Mk1 bought in 2015 and still going. I also have an HP Spectre 360 13" 2016 model, bought in 2017 and still going.
      The second Surface Pro belonged to my sister which she gave to me a few years later after buying it as she wanted a 13" screen and bought a MacAir.

  • ONEMariachi on 26/05/2024 - 14:19
    +5

    Had my Surface Laptop since 2017 and it is still going strong. Wife has had her surface pro since 2018 and still working perfectly.

    • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:22

      Thanks for the input. I'm looking for feedback from Surface devices users like yourself. The build quality generally looks good. How is the battery holding up for you? How much of a degradation have you seen thus far?

      • ONEMariachi on 26/05/2024 - 18:18
        +2

        The only real issue I'm finding is the 8gb ram is starting to struggle now. Really wish I went the 16gb, could have easily kept this another 2 years minimum. So I will be upgrading in the next 6 months or so. Probably biggest advice i can give, is get the ram you think you will need in 5 years rather than what you only need now.

        In terms of battery. Still getting 3-4 hours with consistent daily usage, was closer to about 7-8 hours when I first got it. I'm pretty happy with that for close to 7 years of heavy usage. There would be very fews days that it didn't see usage. Mostly only when on holidays, as I just take my ipad instead.

        For reference, it's the i7 model as well. It's a laptop that is never off. Consistently have 20+ Google chrome tabs open, running multiple large google sheets, and excel sheets. Academic writing with Scrivener, and remotes in to my Server as well. Some very light photoshop. Movies/Tv watching on plex. Always connected to a bluetooth surface mouse.

        I couldn't say how long my wifes lasts for, but she's quite a light user and has never made any sort of remark about wanting to upgrade it.

      • HairyChickens on 26/05/2024 - 19:53

        Surface Laptop 3 and 5 user here.

        Absolutely traumatised by the battery life of these devices. On full performance, the devices only lasts 3 hours (3-4 when it was brand new see links below)
        I am not the only one with these issues. Hopefully it's different on the Snapdragon chips but my next laptop will definitely be a MacBook.

        https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/terrib…
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/751315
        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/807525

      • gromit on 28/05/2024 - 09:34

        Had a Surface Book 2 for 5 years. Was a fantastic device (though early in its life it had a few driver issues which were sorted after a few months). Currently using a Surface Studio Laptop, by far and away the best laptop I have ever owned in my career and I have been in IT and using Laptops since the early 90's (everything from IBM/Dell/HP/Lenovo/Apple/Asus/Microsoft/Compaq and probably a few others I have forgotten) when Laptops where heavier and bullkier than my current gaming desktop.

  • BoltThrower on 26/05/2024 - 15:30
    +2

    Apple does have great power-efficiency, and I'm hoping that new Snapdragon X Elite laptops will be as competitive in this regard as they are in computing power over the M3.
    Perhaps wait for any teething problems the new chip may have.
    You clearly have a preference, ask yourself how much better does SXE running Windows have to be before you'll make a switch?

    • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:23
      +1

      I'd make a switch if it's the same or even slightly lower. I just want the thing to last me at least 5 years without issues and significant battery degradation

      • Kangal on 27/05/2024 - 07:06
        +1

        Qualcomm is excited for the release, but even they did not dare compare the EliteX against the Apple M3. They compared it to the Base M2, which itself is a lower-power processor, when their solution is more-so like a "M-Pro" variant.

        Overall, I would kinda compare the EliteX against the M1-Max. That's a higher draining chipset, occupying the same 30W thermal envelope. And they seem fairly decently matched, at least in terms of multithread performance.

        For single-core performance, the EliteX is slightly ahead of the Base M2, roughly matched to the Base M3, but it's far behind the Base M4.

        I think it is only fair to compare Qualcomm's latest/upcoming EliteX to Apple's latest/upcoming. So by that logic, the EliteX loses definitively against the M4-Pro. And it's destroyed by the M4-Max. Even on high-power mode (80W) it is not going to keep up, and that mode was made to combat Intel anyways.

        ….so if you want to "cross shop" then I would suggest you do so between a $2000 M1-Max, or to a $3000 M4-Pro variant. It is very likely the EliteX will come in the $2000 segment, but there is no reason that Microsoft, Qualcomm, and OEMs can't work something out and have these instead in the $1500 market (which is Base M4, or M2-Pro segment).

        • Kangal on 27/05/2024 - 07:16
          +2

          Then again this is for synthetic or theoretical performance. In practical or real-world conditions, I think the MacBook still has a huge lead.

          Remember Apple warned the world and gave all the developers a full year and hardware kit to make their ARM-programs. Add another 5 Years of transition, and yeah, basically all OS X Programs are now ported natively as macOS Applications. And for those that aren't, you have Rosetta2 which uses hardware-acceleration and emulation for compatibility…. which is orders of magnitude faster than Microsoft's software-emulation only solution. And as for the Windows Applications, well Qualcomm and Microsoft both keep gloating that there "is a lot of native ARM ports" but I doubt it's sufficient. Most Windows Executibles will be stuck on x86.

          So what am I saying?
          If you want the highest performance go for Apple (expensive). If you want the best battery life go for Apple (expensive). If you want the best compatibility then go for x86 Windows (affordable). If you don't care for compatibility and want something more competitive in terms of price, battery life, and reasonable performance…. only then you should look at the EliteX devices.

          It really needs to be stressed the Qualcomm EliteX has yet to prove itself. In the future, the ARM-Windows devices may be decent. But you should wait for the future to arrive first, no need to pay for the Early-Adopter Tax. Qualcomm had a decade to get into this market, and Microsoft had a decade to sort out Windows…. why are they only doing it now? Don't make yourself the beta tester.

          Talking about today, if I had $2,000 to spend on a laptop, I would maybe go for the M1-Max device, it's too good for screen, speakers, keyboard, trackpad, build structure, software, and chipset. But it's hard to get at that price, so more likely I would get a sensible laptop that runs Windows and had an AMD-Ryzen chipset. If money was no object, I actually would not buy a 16in M4-Max MacBook Pro, I would actually try out the crazy expensive Frameworks 16 AMD version, and have myself a great experience to upgrading the laptop slowly over many years.

  • DingoBilly on 26/05/2024 - 16:30

    You sound like you just want to buy a macbook so go with Apple.

    It will be impossible for anyone to tell you how long the new laptops from Windows will last. Even if recent Windows laptops are good, this new generation is new architecture and noone has used it for too long. So could be a complete lemon.

    I personally am super excited for the new Windows laptops with copilot. The AI features look genuinely great and if they can match Apple performance then that'd be amazing.

    • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 16:35

      Why is everybody assuming that I really want to go for a Mac! I'm actually trying to not go for a MacBook cuz I want the laptop to last me 5 years and I don't want my household locked into the Apple walled ecosystem :D

      If you read some of my comments in this post, you would knw that I actually kinda hate Apple as a company :)

      I once claimed on Reddit and Quora that Apple seemed to intentionally slow down older gen phones with new updates to force them to buy the newer models. Also, I had claimed they seemed to tie this to the battery somehow as this didn't seem to affect older gen phones that were being used fresh out of the box with the latest update (I didn't make the connection with freshly replaced batteries though). This was years before Apple got caught with their pants down for the same reason.

      • p1 ama on 26/05/2024 - 17:18
        +3

        Why is everybody assuming that I really want to go for a Mac!

        In your post, you literally say "I prefer MacBooks because they just work, they usually last for years with no issues at all", in which case, I think it's reasonable advice to say that if you prefer a MacBook, then you should go for one.

        • 0FoxGiven on 26/05/2024 - 19:35

          Fair enough. I was ok using MacBooks before cuz I was still able to run windows on it when I needed to. Can't do that natively now :(

  • Subere on 26/05/2024 - 20:29
    -2

    Windows copilot PCs are aiming to record your screen every few seconds…for your benefit. They'll never use it against you…never…
    https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/microsofts-new-recal…

    • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2024 - 18:24

      Apple used to have this idea of scanning your photos in iCloud…
      https://www.wired.com/story/apple-photo-scanning-csam-commun…

      I'm sure some will find "Recall" a bad feature to have, I'm one of them. Microsoft is facing quite strong resistance with it and I think they will likely drop the feature. Microsoft does have a checkered history but Apple isn't saint.

  • brendanm on 26/05/2024 - 20:48
    +1

    It'll be a hard pass for me on any weird thing with "AI" built in. Not an apple user but would 100% go the tried and true MacBook over that garbage.

    • p1 ama on 26/05/2024 - 22:46
      +3

      It'll be a hard pass for me on any weird thing with "AI" built in. Not an apple user but would 100% go the tried and true MacBook over that garbage.

      What do you mean?

      All computers have had some level of "AI functionality" for quite a while now, basically anything with a modern GPU. This includes MacBooks which also have dedicated hardware for AI acceleration (similar to how GPUs are for graphics acceleration). This is not a new thing - I was studying neural networks in the 90s, and implementing machine learning algorithms for ages before the latest wave of natural language models.

      FWIW, the critical ideas behind how the natural language models work is not terribly different from how other machine learning algorithms have been implemented for years. The key difference is in the size of the parameter space. In the fields of forecasting, where I previously worked, you could have models which have ~200 parameters, whereas large language models may have up to tens of billions (if not more) parameters.

      The reason why we have seen all of these AI applications pop up is because of the decreasing cost of computation more than anything.

      • brendanm on 26/05/2024 - 23:04

        I am talking about the "watching everything you do" side of things. The "AI" that has been shown so far seems quite a way off being actual AI.

        • p1 ama on 26/05/2024 - 23:33
          +4

          I am talking about the "watching everything you do" side of things.

          Not sure what you mean by this - you don't have to use "AI features", you can remove them, turn them off…etc.

          The "AI" that has been shown so far seems quite a way off being actual AI.

          What do you mean by "actual AI"?

          • brendanm on 27/05/2024 - 07:12
            -2

            @p1 ama:

            Not sure what you mean by this - you don't have to use "AI features", you can remove them, turn them off…etc.

            As if you would trust Microsoft to actually turn anything off.

            What do you mean by "actual AI"?

            What it says in the box. What we have now is not AI. If we had actual AI, you wouldn't be able to tell it was AI when writing. It can't think, it just regurgitated things in a manner it's been programmed to.

            • DingoBilly on 27/05/2024 - 09:33

              @brendanm: It's an interesting argument as you could say the same thing about humans at end of day.

              They're just a box that have had various things input to them and spit something out based on that information. There's many people who are stupider than current AI as well - you can show them new evidence or ideas and they'll reject them. Think of die-hard political groups.

            • p1 ama on 27/05/2024 - 09:43
              +5

              @brendanm:

              As if you would trust Microsoft to actually turn anything off.

              This doesn't have anything to do with AI, though. If your standard is to not trust Microsoft, you should have never trusted them, and should not trust Apple either. You should only be using free and open source software that you can do your own assurance and due diligence on.

              FWIW, I'm not against this position, but by the same logic, we should also not trust Apple.

              What it says in the box.

              Which claims are made "on the box" that it cannot do?

              What we have now is not AI.

              What do you mean by "not AI"? I think you're confused by what AI is.

              AI is not a goal or state that is achieved. It is a field of study, similar to engineering, chemistry, physics…etc. Every field evolves over time as we understand and know more.

              Source: "It is a field of research in computer science that develops and studies methods and software that enable machines to perceive their environment and uses learning and intelligence to take actions that maximize their chances of achieving defined goals."

              What you are referring to (the idea of computers attaining human-like intelligence) is not referred to as "AI", it is referred to as "general intelligence", which is something people working in AI may be trying to progress towards, but nobody is claiming that we have achieved "general intelligence" today.

              If we had actual AI, you wouldn't be able to tell it was AI when writing.

              This doesn't make any sense to me (as somebody who has worked in machine learning). As I stated before, there is no such thing is "actual AI", it's a field of study.

              What defines AI is a probabilistic / stochastic model of interacting with the world that (broadly) mimics our ability to do complex branch prediction. This is already achieved, in various degrees, across a number of fields of study today.

              I've previously used these techniques to run large forecasting models, others applications include complex search algorithms, wayfinding algorithms (e.g. how Google Maps can find the quickest route between A and B)…etc.

              It can't think, it just regurgitated things in a manner it's been programmed to.

              Sure, but nobody is claiming that AI can "think". This is also a broadly philosophical question which is beyond the technical field of study itself.

              FWIW, you're just being contrarian here. You're probably seeing everyone talking about AI, and you just feel that you should be "against" it because there's hype. I don't think you have any particular expertise in AI, or care about it that much.

              • brendanm on 30/05/2024 - 17:08

                @p1 ama:

                FWIW, you're just being contrarian here. You're probably seeing everyone talking about AI, and you just feel that you should be "against" it because there's hype. I don't think you have any particular expertise in AI, or care about it that much.

                I never said I have experience with it. I've seen people use it, and it's garbage. That's not the issue anyway, the issue is Microsoft capturing screenshots of what you are doing constantly, which is something I do have interest in.

                • CrowReally on 03/06/2024 - 17:05
                  -1

                  @brendanm:

                  I never said I have experience with it

                  Yeah, that came through when you were sharing your thoughts on it (as excellently dissected by p1 ama in the post above)

                  The "if it was actual A.I., we wouldn't be able to tell" comment above just seems to be mixing a lack of understanding of the purpose of A.I. with the "no true Scotsman" fallacy. (???)

                  Not sure to what end but you don't need to have takes on things you don't understand?

  • Kayrhcp on 27/05/2024 - 09:47
    +1

    I would bet that the first gen of copilot PCs will not be something you enjoy, if you like the simplicity and user friendliness of the Mac.

    Down the line, there’s a chance they will revolutionise what we consider our laptops to be, but I reckon it’ll take a few years for Microsoft to get there.

    I’m a longtime Mac user who has a windows pc just for gaming and even just windows 11 has maddeningly awful user experience (at times) compared to windows 10. I don’t trust Microsoft to make an experience that isn’t without frustrating faults and probable privacy violations.

  • crentist on 27/05/2024 - 22:36

    Still using a 12inch MacBook? Those things are great.
    The closest equivalent today is probably the Lenovo x1 nano. Under a kg, tiny, super portable, fun to use.

    I had one a couple of years ago, awesome machine. But not very powerful, or great battery. Maybe a bit too much like the 12inch Mac.
    I still liked it more than my M1 Air, but the Air was much cheaper and better overall

  • WhyThingsCostMoney on 27/05/2024 - 22:53
    -2

    Microsoft could have the best specs in the world for the lowest price and I wouldn’t touch it just to avoid using windows.

  • mirz on 27/05/2024 - 23:12

    MacBook has great build quality and OS.

    AI is a bandwagon where every company is trying to lure customers to make money.

  • bonezAU on 28/05/2024 - 07:53

    If you're only going to use the 2016 Macbook for web browsing, look into putting something like Linux Mint on it.
    It will feel like a brand new speedy machine. You don't need to learn the terminal stuff, it's very GUI focussed.

    I put it on my 2012 Macbook Air and the difference between Mac OS and Linux is night and day. It feels like a speedy machine now.

  • OzHan on 28/05/2024 - 09:04

    MBA any day of the week, any hour of the day.

  • gromit on 28/05/2024 - 09:23
    +3

    The new Surface Copilot Laptop look incredibly impressive spec wise. Remembering if you don't like the AI there is no need to actually use it. better performance than an Air in every way plus more flexibility. But as always wait for the reviews.

  • Deals For Days on 28/05/2024 - 09:35
    -1

    There is no way I would get a new Windows laptop unless I needed a specific program that runs on Windows. And I currently daily drive Windows PCs only (laptop and desktop).

    Microsoft is putting ads everywhere in their computers; forcing their products on you and tracking more and more. On a device YOU pay thousands for!! It's ridiculously anti consumer, and I have no interest in paying for a device that comes with such a bloated OS.

  • srhardy on 28/05/2024 - 14:53
    +1

    Windows ARM second attempt (I owned a RT back in the day and it worked but the charging sucked) is way overpriced for an ARM machine. Both Intel and AMD (i5/7pro & AMD 8xxxx) Lenovos are under half the ask and if you upgrade the 16” with the 52>78w battery your getting virtually the same use time and the benefit of the AMD is Ai as well as native steam gaming. Or save 200-300 and get the AMD 7xxxU without ai as you’ll just use the internet anyway and it has the same graphics. The 14” with 52whrs battery is good for 6hours use at least in a single season browsing and YouTube.

  • nomadspartan on 28/05/2024 - 15:35
    -1

    The ram usage on Windows 11 is trash, and you still get those frustrating Windows hiccups/lag - I use a Surface Pro 9 for work. Stick with the Macbook, can get the M1 Air for quite cheap now and it will easily last you 5 years. You can still run windows as a virtual machine or just buy a cheap mini-pc that are advertised on ozbargain.

  • Doey21 on 01/06/2024 - 19:21

    My wife and I have had 4 x surface laptops (I paid for 3 and had 1 x swaps).

    Surface laptop 2 - trackpad died out of warranty. Bought a new one
    Surface laptop 3 - Trackpad died during warranty. Got it replaced for free. Currently still going strong and serves all my needs
    Surface laptop 3 (wife's) - Trackpad died during warranty. It was bought from harvey norman commercial and so instead of doing a warranty claim they just gave us a full refund

    My wife is about to preorder the Surface laptop 7. This is knowing that we havent had the best run of luck with the trackpads.I don't really have a windows laptop equivalent that I could say I enjoyed using as much and hence why we have stuck to the surface laptop.

    Having said that, if you can live with using apple's OS, then the design and the performance of the macbook air is far superior to any compact laptop. I would buy one in a heartbeat if they could run windows….

  • [Deactivated] on 07/07/2024 - 18:00

    Having similar problem myself, hoping to leave Mac and move to PC for personal use. I'm a PC person at work but my personal machines have always been Macs. However, the price of Mac continue to rise and I couldn't keep up, meanwhile more and more responsibilities landed on my shoulder isn't helping.

    Very happy to see that Qualcomm came up with this Snapdragon X Elite that is a serious competitor to Apple's SoC and offers comparable battery life. Although laptops with this chip are almost as expensive as MacBooks, I'm very sure they will drop in the next few months especially near the end of year, aiming at Dell XPS. Sad that Apple seldom drop their product price except due to currency movement.

    The problem I have are mainly with softwares, have invested into FCP and few other paid apps and will have to forgo them when switching to PC. Good thing is I am only occasion FCP/Motion user and happy to transition to DR if needed, perhaps may have to spend a small fortune to get DR Studio. Will also miss Apple's "continuity", photos, and few other features but confident that I will find replacement at Windows 11.

    Hope able to make that transition in the next few months.

  • bazinga8888 on 08/07/2024 - 11:21

    Had the OG surface book worked pretty well, still working to date but just really slow. Not the same experience with Surface Laptop 3

    Had multiple instance of random bluescreen while setting up the laptop, so got it replaced.
    Got a DOA replacement, not even bootable, so another replacement straightaway.
    Had the multiple random bluescreen multiple times while setting up again, so another replacement straighaway
    Finally a working version that I managed to get past the setup. So 4 replacement since buying a new surface laptop 3, took about 2-3 months with the replacement/shipping so i gave up and switch to Macbook Air M2.

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